Who stands by Revanth Reddy?

1. Senior leaders have not condemned Sushmita’s remarks
2. ■ Ministers show little interest in those who spoke against the Chief Minister
3. ■ Only 20 MLAs and MLCs have come out in support of the CM
4. ■ What lies behind the ministers’ silence?
5. ■ No visible response from the remaining MLAs
6. ■ CM Revanth Reddy announces Parakala ticket in advance
7. ■ Ticket allocation is ultimately a high command decision, says PCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud 

metro india news I hyderabad

Political tensions within Telangana’s ruling Congress have reached a peak amid growing internal differences. Criticism targeting Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and his style of governance has triggered a storm within Congress circles.

Comments made by Sushmita, daughter of Minister Konda Surekha, against the Chief Minister have now become a major talking point. Her remarks, along with the actions of Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy and former minister Chinna Reddy, who have also voiced criticism against the party, have sparked intense debate.

A section of MLAs and MLCs have come out in support of Revanth Reddy. On Friday, around 20 legislators—15 MLAs and five MLCs—held a press conference at the CLP office, urging the party high command to take action against Minister Konda Surekha, Rajagopal Reddy and Chinna Reddy.

Most of those attending were from the erstwhile Nalgonda, Warangal and Mahbubnagar districts. Government Whip and MLC Balmoor Venkat and Khanapur MLA Vedma Bhojju were also present.

However, political circles are questioning why the entire Cabinet and the remaining MLAs have not openly supported the Chief Minister when members of his own party and senior leaders have been sharply criticising him. The fact that only 20 MLAs and MLCs came forward to condemn the remarks, while the rest remained silent, has triggered speculation.

Revanth Reddy recently announced that sitting MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy would contest again from Parakala in the next election and appealed to voters to bless him. Sushmita, however, has opposed the move.

PCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud’s statement that ticket allocation is not in the hands of any individual and that the final decision rests with the party high command has added another dimension to the controversy.

Meanwhile, discussions about “original Congress” and “green Congress” have also emerged within the party. Questions are being raised over why some senior leaders have not condemned Sushmita’s remarks. Some MLAs have alleged that there is an effort, both from opposition parties and within the Congress, to weaken Revanth Reddy.

Two or three senior ministers have reportedly maintained a distance from the Chief Minister from the beginning and are said to have objected to interference in their departments.

Congress circles also point out that three leaders have recently raised dissenting voices: Rajagopal Reddy from erstwhile Nalgonda, former minister Chinna Reddy from erstwhile Mahbubnagar, and Sushmita from erstwhile Warangal. Revanth Reddy’s supporters say this explains the presence of legislators from these three regions at Friday’s CLP press conference. The key question now is whether the controversy will escalate further or whether the party high command will intervene to contain the  differences.